Scoreboard Display at the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre (W. Kinsella)

Recommendation:
That the following report be received for information.

Report Summary

·  This report provides a response to a motion passed at the July 13, 1998 Community Services Committee concerning a funding strategy for the purchase of a new scoreboard display at the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre.

Previous Council/Committee Action

·  At the July 13, 1998 Community Services Committee meeting, the following motion was passed:

“That the Community Services Department report back to the July 27, 1998 Community Services Committee meeting with options to replace the Kinsmen Aquatic scoreboard.”

·  At the June 29, 1998 Community Services Committee meeting, the following motion was passed:

“That the June 22, l998 Community Services Department report be referred back to the Administration to prepare a preliminary report for the July 13, l998 Community Services Committee meeting on funding resources.”

·  At the June 15, l998 Community Services Committee meeting Councillor Kinsella made the following administrative inquiry:

“I understand that the scoreboard display at the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre is no longer working and cannot be repaired. I would like the Administration to:

  1. Advise as to the status of the board and whether it can be repaired.
  2. Identify the costs for the purchase and installation of a new scoreboard display.
  3. Confirm whether or not a new scoreboard display can be purchased and installed in time for the November 1998 World Cup.
  4. Outline potential funding sources for a new display board.

Because of the potential urgency of the situation, I would like this report for the June 29, l998 Community Services Committee meeting.”

Report

·  The cost of a basic scoreboard display board for the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre is estimated at $250,000. This replacement board would provide all the functions that existed on the previous board, and would meet the stipulations of the Federation of International Aquatics (F.I.N.A.) regulations for international swim meets.

·  The Edmonton swim community would like to see the previous display board replaced with a board having more advanced features, such as enhanced display and video capability. The cost of such a board is estimated at $500,000. The swim community believes that by having this enhanced board, Edmonton and the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre will be in a stronger position to secure the bid to host the World Aquatic Championship in 2002.

·  The following is the Community Services Department’s intended plan for the purchase and financing of a replacement scoreboard:

(a)  The Community Services Department will commit $250,000 to the purchase of a replacement board. This is to be charged to the Department’s 1998 Facility Conservation budget.

(b)  Before the latest ordering date of August 10, l998, the Community Services Department will solicit the swim community’s interest in and commitment to raise the additional $250,000 needed to purchase the $500,000 board.

(c)  Based on the outcome of (b), either the “basic” board or the enhanced board will be ordered, as determined by the Department. If the enhanced board is to be ordered, then, prior to ordering, the timelines and terms for repayment and operation of the enhanced board are to be negotiated and agreed with the swim community.

Budget / Financial Implications

The intended plan for the purchase and financing of a replacement scoreboard will have no impact on the amount of the approved 1998 Facility Conservation budget. Nor is it intended to impact subsequent years’ budgets. That budget is estimated, and approved, on the basis of estimated “facility conservation” for the year, and is available for a variety of anticipated needs. The priorities vary over the year, as needs arise. The 1998 and subsequent years’ priorities are now changed by this unforeseen need, and some activities which had been planned will now not occur.

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